CAPILLARY ZONE ELECTROPHORESIS OF FISH MUSCLE SARCOPLASMIC PROTEINS

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method for rapid separation of fish muscle sarcoplasmic proteins (SAR) was developed using a highionic-strength phosphate buffer and an untreated, fused silica capillary (20 mu m i.d. X 20 cm). Changes in pH between 6.6-7.5 resulted in differences in mobility, separation factors, and number of SAR moieties. An optimal SAR profile was obtained at pH 7.4. When used to monitor frozen storage changes in SAR from cod (Atlantic, Ling, Pacific) and pollock fillets, the procedure indicated both species differences and low- and high- molecular-weight frozen storage changes. CZE is an effective screening/quantification alternative to conventional electrophoresis and/or HPLC because it is fast (<10 min), simple, sensitive, precise, and readily automated.